Taking a family road trip continues to be a priority for American families with figures for road trip vacations leaping from 22 to 39 percent, according to a report by MMGY Global. In our modern age of computer games, social media and busy working lives, family bonding sometimes gets lost in our striving to communicate better with each other.
While there are many unique family bonding activities to enjoy together, embarking on a family road trip is a great way to spend some quality time getting closer to each other and improving relationships.
Before you Leave
Prior to setting off, getting the family together to discuss where to go and what to do is a bonding experience in itself. Making the decisions together, from what to pack to how much to spend, will go a long way to planning the perfect road trip.
Additionally, the distractions from everyday lives to sit down and work out vacation ideas together is likely to encourage responsibility, add excitement and be a genuine part of a family unit. Whether you have your own car or plan to rent one, think about the space needed to ensure there’s enough room in the vehicle for everyone and their belongings so that it’s a comfortable ride.
Plan all aspects of the car’s details and try and involve the kids as much as possible so all opinions feel valued.
Hitting the Road
Our daily lives usually mean rushing out to go to school or work, hurrying to pick the kids up from clubs and often eating dinners at different times.
However, that’s unlikely to happen if the effects of being plugged into electronics are taking over so set some rules down together beforehand. As an alternative, spend the time you have in the car sharing personal tales from your own childhood experiences or previous vacations you’ve taken.
This, in turn, will encourage children to open up and share their experiences with you so you’ll have a better understanding of what goes on in their lives too.
Making Destination Stops
Finding things to do that you all love is half the battle when it comes to deciding on what destinations are ideal for everyone to indulge in. Plans have to include activities that will suit the preferences of all family members.
Whether it’s taking a hike in one of America’s National Parks or going surfing on the beach, these shared experiences will add value to a child’s perspective from knowing their input is equally respected. Similarly, when stopping off for food, get them helping out and cooking together or voicing their opinions on which restaurant to eat in.
From singing songs together in the car to playing board games in a tent when it’s raining, taking a road trip all together will be one of the most enriching experiences that will create stronger bonds that everyone can carry for a lifetime.
If you’re a new stepdad, travel is a fantastic way to discover the best things about your stepkids in a loosely structured, adventure-filled setting.
If you’re thinking of going abroad for an upcoming vacation, make sure your trip is as safe as it is fun, by following these tips for traveling the world safely with kids.
